Pupils celebrate exam success

But there were concerns yesterday that the A* may have lost its sparkle after a record number of pupils took home top grades.

Results showed the biggest rise in success rates for seven years, with 4% more students achieving five A* to C GCSEs, including English and maths, compared to last year.

More than half of young people reached the acclaimed standard – which has caused concern for those who anticipate an impending clamour for scarcely available jobs.

Graham White, secretary of the Suffolk National Union of Teachers, said: “Clearly the students have worked hard to achieve their A*s and As.

“But I am personally surprised that the number is so high this year and there is certain devaluing among some of the hard work and effort they have put in.”

With so many students shining in their exams, Mr White advised those that really want to stand out from the crowd to look at other ways of enriching their CVs.

He added: “Maybe they could look at gaining more work experience by doing placements, or doing community work with the Scouts, Guides or air cadets.

“They need to sell themselves on their personalities and other skills.”

But Graham Newman, Suffolk’s schools chief, said the increase in success rates illustrated the impact of the county’s strategy to raise attainment.

“Headteachers, teachers and students should be congratulated on their commitment and enthusiasm for learning that has resulted in this tremendous achievement,” he said.

“In times where competition for jobs and further education places is strong gaining good GCSE grades is more important than ever.”

Record results came flooding in yesterday as students ended weeks of nervous waiting.

All results given below are for the percentage of pupils who gained five A*-C grades including English and maths, unless stated otherwise.

Pupils are Northgate High School in Ipswich were celebrating success after 68% achieved grades A* to C.

Headteacher David Hutton said: “I couldn’t be more proud of Northgate’s pupils.”

Meanwhile, at Kesgrave High School, headmaster Nigel Burgoyne announced that the school was celebrating “excellent individual results right across the ability range”, with 60% of students achieving grades A*-C.

At Ipswich School students were jumping for joy as they celebrated a star studded selection of results and an A*-C pass rate of 98%

Orwell High School in Felixstowe had its best ever GCSE results with 50% achieving five or more - twice the number last year.

Executive headteacher Rob Cawley said: “To say I am thrilled with the results would be an understatement!”

Results were also up at Deben High in Felixstowe, where students also achieved the highest results in the school’s history.

At independent Amberfield School at Nacton pupils had plenty to celebrate.

Headmistress Linda Ingram said: “I am delighted that our overall pass rate at grades A*-C has remained at 91%. We are as thrilled with our pupil who gained 11 A*’s as with another who managed five passes.”

Schools and colleges across mid Suffolk were also toasting their pupils’ success with some recording their best ever results.

After being handed an excellent Ofsted report, students at Hartismere High School in Eye achieved some outstanding grades.

Headteacher James McAtear said: “Earlier this year the school received the top grade from Ofsted. These results - 96% with five A*-C grades and 70% - are the culmination of an outstanding year.”

Andrew Bloom, headteacher at Stradbroke Business and Enterprise College, said the class of 2010 had delivered the college’s best ever results, with 63% achieving five A*-C.

At Stowmarket High School 52% of pupils achieved five or more of the coveted A*-C passes – the school’s best ever results.

Not far away in Stowupland, more than half of the students scored five or more A*-C passes.

Meanwhile, at Debenham High School an impressive 75% of pupils managed to achieve the five A*-C pass rate - a “superb” new record, according to headteacher Mike Crawshaw.

A “fantastic” 66% of pupils at Claydon High School managed to achieve the five A*-C passes, to the delight of headteacher Sarah Skinner and her staff.

Staff at Thurleston High School, in Defoe Road, Ipswich, said that they were delighted that 34% of students had achieved grades A*-C.

At Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge they celebrated their best ever year with 62% of pupils achieving five A* to C grades.

Headteacher Sue Hargadon said: “We are absolutely delighted with a fabulous set of results.”

At Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham they also had a record breaking set of results – with 70% of students gaining five or more A*-C passes.

Leiston High School also had its best-ever year, with 47% of pupils gaining A*-C grades, 4% above their target.

At Framlingham College, 96% of students achieved five A* to C grades, not including English and maths, while 50% of the grades awarded were A* to A grade – with a third of pupils gaining seven grades at A or above.

Headmaster Paul Taylor said: “On most counts these are our best ever set of results and I would like to congratulate our pupils and teachers.”

Students at Woodbridge School celebrated another record-breaking year with 94% achieving five A*-C grades.

At St Felix School in Southwold, 82% of pupils achieved five A*-C grades.

Headteacher David Ward said he was delighted for all the students and the results were a reflection of their hard work, preparation and dedication.

Headmaster at St Albans Catholic High School in Ipswich was very pleased that students achieved 63.4% grades A*-C.

Dennis McGarry said: “This is a very respectable score and we have some outstanding successes including the achievements of Sophie Brown who has battled against Leukaemia during her GCSE year.”

At Westbourne Sports College they were busy celebrating the best ever GCSE results, achieving 58% A* to C grades.

Students, parents and staff at Copleston High School said they were full with joy after achieved 67% A* to C.

Pupils at East Bergholt High School were celebrating a 52% pass grade of A* to Cs, a “testimony to the commitment of students.”

Meanwhile, at Hadleigh High School they were delighted to achieve some of the best results in the school’s history with 63% getting A* to C.

Headteacher, Caroline Gibson, said: “I congratulate pupils on the outstanding efforts they have made to achieve above and beyond what we could expect of them. Their success is well deserved.”

It was an amazing result for students at Ipswich High School for Girls who achieves an 100% pass grade for A* to Cs.

Elaine Purves, headteacher, said: “I am particularly thrilled that our percentage of A*s has topped a record-breaking 46% – it really highlights the phenomenal quality of the results the girls are achieving.”

Chantry High School headteacher Andrew Fell was pleased to report that 38% of pupils achieved five A* to C GCSE results including English and Maths.

Results at Holywells High were at near-record levels, with a 30.4% return on five A* to C grades.

St Joseph’s College enjoyed another day of success stories following on from some excellent A-level and SAT exam results.

Principal Sian Grant said: “We are particularly pleased that, once again, the students of St Joseph’s College have been rewarded for all of their hard work over the last two years.”

A total of 38% of GCSE students at Stoke High School achieved five A* to C grades including English and Maths.

At Lowestoft’s Kirkley High School, 34% of GCSE students managed to achieve five A* to C grades including maths and English

At Manningtree High School, there were 10 A* and A grades across the board for five individual students.

A* to C grades across all subjects were the best ever, at just under 70% with the results including English and maths staying at 55%.

Headteacher Deborah Hollister said: “Once again every student gained a qualification that will support them going on to the next stage of their education or into employment.”

In Lowestoft, there were smiles all around, with 42% of pupils at Denes High School gaining five or more top grades and 45% of those at Benjamin Britten High School reaching the benchmark.

Staff at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook were jumping for joy after 90% of students achieved A* to C grades.

The Headmaster, Howard Blackett said: “I am delighted with these results – they are a testament to the hard work put in by pupils and staff over the last couple of years.”